Buyalskiy’s last-minute goal lifts Dynamo Kyiv into tie with Porto
Kyiv (AFP) – Vitaly Buyalskiy scored a last minute equalizer to rescue a point for Dynamo Kyiv in a 2-2 Champions League draw with Porto in Ukraine on Wednesday.
Midfielder Oleh Gusev had opened the scoring for the Ukrainian champions in the Group G encounter at the National Olympic Complex, but a brace from Cameroon international forward Vincent Aboubakar turned the tie on its head.
The point left Dynamo and Porto joint second in the group behind favourites Chelsea, who thrashed Maccabi Tel-Aviv 4-0.
“We studied Dynamo’s play thoroughly as they’re a strong and very well-organised team,” Porto manager Julen Lopetegui said.
“Our homework paid off as we’ve scored twice tonight. Overall I’m pleased with the outcome though we had good chances to win this match.”
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Porto, who remained unbeaten in seven visits to the Ukraine, created the first opportunity when Algerian forward Yacine Brahimi shot inches over the crossbar with a well-struck freekick in the 15th minute.
In the 20th minute, Dynamo skipper Gusev put his side 1-0 up as he converted Denis Garmash’s cross from the right past Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas from the edge of the six-yard box.
The visitors pulled level just three minutes later when Miguel Layun found the unmarked Aboubakar in the area with a pinpoint cross from the left, and the Cameroonian netted with a header from 10 yards out.
With just a minute to go before the break, Garmash missed a clear chance to restore Dynamo’s lead as he miscued an excellent cross by Gusev, allowing Casillas to push the ball out for a corner.
After the break, last season’s quarter-finalists Porto, whose manager Lopetegui was serving a touchline ban, dominated possession but to no immediate avail as Dynamo defended stoutly, stifling the visitors’ attacks.
In the 76th minute, Dynamo’s Brazilian forward Junior Moraes failed to find the net with a close-range header from a corner.
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Aboubakar gave Porto the lead with nine minutes remaining when he shot home into the far corner following an error by Dynamo goalkeeper Oleksandr Rybka, who failed to clear a Maxi Pereira cross.
But second-half substitute Buyalskiy saved the day as he headed home a rebound after a freekick by Serhiy Rybalka with just a minute to go.
“The draw seems to be the fairest result,” Dynamo head coach Serhiy Rebrov said.
“It was our Champions League debut after a two-year break. Maybe it’s the reason for our numerous mistakes.
“We knew that Aboubakar was very dangerous in the area and we tried to keep him under control but he needed just two final touches to score a brace.”